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Top journo slams F1 pay-drivers' pace

LONDON, England - A journalist for a leading British newspaper has dealt a heavy critique of some of Formula 1's so-called 'pay drivers'.

As he ranked the performance of the field of 2014, Telegraph correspondent Daniel Johnson said Lotus' Pastor Maldonado deserved to be stone last.

"How many Friday practice sessions passed without Maldonado crashing?" he wondered. "Around the equivalent of R475-million of sponsorship money ensures he'll be there in 2015."

ERICSSON SWITCHING

Next in the line of fire was Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson who, according to Johnson, "was so poor that an F1 novice (Andre Lotterer) came in for one race in Belgium and was around a second a lap quicker. Explain that," he said.

The correspondent said Ericsson was now switching from Caterham to Sauber "due to money, with his credentials slim at best".

The driver Ericsson is replacing at Sauber is Esteban Gutierre who, according to Johnson, was "utterly anonymous all season".

Another well-backed driver struggling to find another seat for 2015 is Marussia's Max Chilton who, while "solid and likeable", is "not quick enough for Formula 1", according to Johnson.

Also criticised in his 2014 rankings was the outgoing F1 champion Sebastian Vettel, listed down at 13th-best driver of the year.

"Has this been the worst title defence ever?" Johnson asked. "Unreliability has not helped, but he failed to adapt quickly to the new cars."

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 Abu Dhabi GP finale this weekend.
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